What kind of environmental conditions does gourd cultivation require?
Everyone is surely familiar with the gourd; it is not just a container. It is also edible and has very high medicinal value, and it is grown on a certain area in our country. However, there are also many cases of failed cultivation, most of which are due to improper control of the growing environment. So what kind of environment does growing gourds require? Below, the editor brings you the requirements of gourd cultivation for environmental conditions. Let's take a look!
1. Soil
Gourds have very strong growth ability and can grow normally in most soils. But when grown artificially, the purpose is to increase yield and enhance quality. If the soil quality is poor, it will have a certain impact on the yield and quality of gourds. Therefore, when planting, we should preferably choose soil with sufficient fertility, that is deep, loose and soft, and has strong permeability. Then control the soil pH at around 6.8, which can effectively enhance the growth ability of gourds, increase yield, and expand planting benefits.
2. Temperature
Temperature is very important for the growth of gourds. Gourds like to grow in a warm environment. When sowing, ensure the temperature is around 15 degrees. The seed germination rate can be significantly increased. During the growth process of gourds, the optimal temperature should be controlled at 22-24 degrees. If the temperature is unsuitable, it will inhibit the growth of gourds. Although gourds can still bloom normally in a low-temperature environment, the pollination rate will decrease as a result, thereby reducing the fruit-setting rate. So when planting, we should pay attention to controlling the temperature well to ensure suitable conditions for gourd growth.
3. Water
The root system of gourds is relatively well developed, so their water-absorbing capacity is strong. Under normal circumstances, with a large amount of branches and leaves, water evaporates quickly, so we need to maintain a certain amount of moisture in the field. When drought occurs, water promptly, especially during the flowering and fruiting period, because the growth rate is faster and the demand for water becomes greater. Therefore, during the flowering and fruiting period, water should be appropriately increased, but before harvest, the amount of water should be controlled to avoid excessive water reducing the storability of gourds. When watering, it is also not advisable to use flood irrigation. After waterlogging occurs, drain it promptly to prevent waterlogging from damaging the roots and causing pests and diseases that affect gourd growth.
4. Light
Light is closely related to the growth ability and yield of gourds. Although gourds have a certain tolerance for weak light, if they are kept in a weak-light environment for a long time, the number of flowers and fruits will be severely reduced, thereby affecting planting benefits. So when planting, in order to ensure high yield and high quality, it is best to choose a planting plot in an open place with sufficient light. If there is long-term rainy weather, then artificial supplemental lighting should be done well. But also prevent direct sunlight for too long, and provide appropriate shade and scattered light, otherwise it is easy to cause leaves and fruits to be scorched.
The above is a brief introduction to the growing environment of gourds. The growing environment of gourds is also a management task we need to do well during the planting process, so everyone must pay more attention! That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!